My House in Lights - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!

zackiedawg

zackiedawg

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When I got home from Mousefest, my first priority was to complete my Christmas lights on my house! It isn't the Osbournes', but I've got 2,200 lights up outside and 500 on the tree. That's about all my circuit breaker is going to take.

Here's a wide shot of the whole house:

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From the front (you can just make out the tree lights in the living room window, which is heavily tinted):

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And here's a shot of the front walkway:

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I actually used more lights in the past - I was up to a high of 3,500 lights at one point. But I repainted the wall in front of the house, so I didn't want to use tape on it to put lights along it, because it pulls off the paint. And my huge cactus which was always well lit was blown down in 2005 during Hurricane Wilma, so I can't light it up anymore.

Still, I like to light up the house as much as possible - it's just fun!

Merry Christmas to those who do Christmas, Happy Holidays to those who do anything else, and all the best to my fellow photographers and Disney fans!
 
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I tried taking Christmas light pictures earlier this month but could get the settings right on my camera. We put lights on our house as well maybe not as many but we still do. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you.
 
Geek,

Easiest way to get the right settings if you want to do it easy and lazy, is to just set your camera in P mode, set it down on a level surface or tripod, set the self timer, and snap the shutter and let go. Your camera will probably choose a slow shutter of 1-3 seconds, and that should get the shot. Of course, manual settings, shooting with a DSLR, etc are the more proper way to go. But I was too lazy to charge my batteries and haul out my tripod, and ended up taking these photos with my little T100 ultra-compact, handheld (the walkway shot was with the camera sitting on the ground).

Give it another go...it's nice to have some photos of all that Christmas work, since you put it up and take it down in just a month or so!
 
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I just found a nice "how-to" article on this subject yesterday.

How to Photograph Christmas Lights

While I have very few outdoor lights, I think these are great tips for those who do and for taking light displays at Disney parks and other locals.

Nice pics of your home, Justin! Where's the snow? ;)
 
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We don't have very many outside either but we do have some. The pictures I was trying to take were my neighbors yard they have an enormous display. Thanks for the article I will try it later this week.
 
You're welcome. Post your results. I'd be interested to see if you can replicate their pics using the white balance setting suggested.
 
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Thanks Scott. Maybe I should get Disney to set up some of that special Florida soap snow at my house! ;)
 
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"zackiedawg" said:
Thanks Scott. Maybe I should get Disney to set up some of that special Florida/California soap snow at my house! ;)
Click to expand...

I fixed it for you Justin. The only difference is that California's snow is included with your regular theme park admission to Walt's Magic Kingdom. (does not include Hollywood Studios snow)
 
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R - I guess snow is almost as rare in Anaheim as in Florida (though California has plenty of snow in the mountain regions)...I wish the snow in MK Florida wasn't limited to the MVMCP - I'm jealous of the west-coasters on that one!

Polynesian - thank you! I still have to snap some tree shots on the inside - but I usually do that on Christmas Eve, when I've got the camera charged anyway for the family shots.
 
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